British Airways Future Pilot Programme.
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You're correct, both the Maths and Physics are multiple choice but again, as per my post above, it was a LOT harder than I and a lot of other people anticipated. 4 choices are still no help if you can't remember a formula from 10 years ago and it's not provided for you. On some of the questions I ended up playing around with numbers, multiplying, dividing, squaring etc and on a few occasions I came up with an answer that was one of the choices, no idea if it was correct though.
Just to give you an idea, I picked up an A at Maths GCSE and studied it for AS. I have spent the last 10 years (since GCSEs) in a technical environment so I like to think i'm good with maths and have good numerical aptitude. This has also been confirmed by a number of aptitude tests i've passed for other companies. This test however requires a good working knowledge of Maths and Physics GCSE and AS Level problems. I saw a lot of stuff that I recall being able to work out but I couldn't remember the formulas for.
Again can anyone shed any light of the similarities or differences between this and CTC?
Just to give you an idea, I picked up an A at Maths GCSE and studied it for AS. I have spent the last 10 years (since GCSEs) in a technical environment so I like to think i'm good with maths and have good numerical aptitude. This has also been confirmed by a number of aptitude tests i've passed for other companies. This test however requires a good working knowledge of Maths and Physics GCSE and AS Level problems. I saw a lot of stuff that I recall being able to work out but I couldn't remember the formulas for.
Again can anyone shed any light of the similarities or differences between this and CTC?
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@Budding,
I went through CTC and was told the following day that I met the required standards, however I still have to wait until mid-April to hear if I'll be going to Waterside. I believe this is because CTC are waiting until all stage 1 selection days have been completed, after which they'll only send the top x%.
I went through CTC and was told the following day that I met the required standards, however I still have to wait until mid-April to hear if I'll be going to Waterside. I believe this is because CTC are waiting until all stage 1 selection days have been completed, after which they'll only send the top x%.
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@Budding,
At FTE there are four different written tests. Numeracy, which requires algebra, trigonometry, fractions, percentages and geometry. There is also numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning and maths and physics. The maths and physics contains lots of speed, time and distance calculations along with other mechanics. FTE send out a preparation pack before hand which pretty much covers 60% of what is in the tests. However, even if they didn't provide candidates with a prep pack, if you dig around hard enough then you can usually find some information online as to what to expect at the FTO's.
At FTE there are four different written tests. Numeracy, which requires algebra, trigonometry, fractions, percentages and geometry. There is also numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning and maths and physics. The maths and physics contains lots of speed, time and distance calculations along with other mechanics. FTE send out a preparation pack before hand which pretty much covers 60% of what is in the tests. However, even if they didn't provide candidates with a prep pack, if you dig around hard enough then you can usually find some information online as to what to expect at the FTO's.
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Funky,
I'm afraid I disagree, I did lots of digging and all the information was rather vague. I also did an MPL a year ago and that was totally different. I also spoke to friends in the industry and what I encountered on the day wasn't what I was expecting. I'd be keen to see if FTE would send me a prep pack, i'd be happy to pay a fee. Is it electronic or all on paper?
I also personally asked the FTO what I should prep for and they told me very little if anything. It shouldn't be a case of digging round and some people starting with more info than others. There should be no hiding what you are going to be asked, maybe a large list of possible topics would help or even some test papers. Surely it's to test if you are good enough to get through training and at no point in training are they going to give you things to work out and refuse to help/advise you.
I'm afraid I disagree, I did lots of digging and all the information was rather vague. I also did an MPL a year ago and that was totally different. I also spoke to friends in the industry and what I encountered on the day wasn't what I was expecting. I'd be keen to see if FTE would send me a prep pack, i'd be happy to pay a fee. Is it electronic or all on paper?
I also personally asked the FTO what I should prep for and they told me very little if anything. It shouldn't be a case of digging round and some people starting with more info than others. There should be no hiding what you are going to be asked, maybe a large list of possible topics would help or even some test papers. Surely it's to test if you are good enough to get through training and at no point in training are they going to give you things to work out and refuse to help/advise you.
Last edited by Budding; 23rd Mar 2015 at 11:23. Reason: More Info.
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There should be no hiding what you are going to be asked, maybe a large list of possible topics would help or even some test papers.
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@Budding,
I agree with what you are saying to some extent. You shouldn't have to dig around. I do however see this as good preparation.
The preparation pack from FTE is designed for FTE candidates. The prep pack wouldn't help a OAA candidate as the tests are completely different. Now you have been to Oxford you have the experience of what to expect next time should you be unsuccessful which will go a long way. There's no better practice than sitting the assessment itself!
@kirungi1,
Yes all of the tests are multiple choice.
I agree with what you are saying to some extent. You shouldn't have to dig around. I do however see this as good preparation.
The preparation pack from FTE is designed for FTE candidates. The prep pack wouldn't help a OAA candidate as the tests are completely different. Now you have been to Oxford you have the experience of what to expect next time should you be unsuccessful which will go a long way. There's no better practice than sitting the assessment itself!
@kirungi1,
Yes all of the tests are multiple choice.
Last edited by funkyt111; 23rd Mar 2015 at 11:44. Reason: Previous message might be seen to give other candidates advantageous information.
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I agree with Budding on this one. There was no suggestions that the tests would be GCSE/A-Level standard in Maths and Physics. Nothing online or in the material provided by OAA suggested it would be this level. It is just an instant benefit for those who did their GCSE / A-Levels more recently than others. At least if warning was given, people could have prepared and it would have been a level playing field.
However - everyone found it difficult therefore you would have to think the pass mark would reflect the difficulty (hopefully) meaning it'll be a low pass mark...
Otherwise - it is a long wait until mid-April. I'm hoping they get back to us sooner!
However - everyone found it difficult therefore you would have to think the pass mark would reflect the difficulty (hopefully) meaning it'll be a low pass mark...
Otherwise - it is a long wait until mid-April. I'm hoping they get back to us sooner!
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It would seem fair to assume the level of the assessment papers will be consistent with the minimum entry qualifications for the course. Not sure if this has been the case at OAA or not.
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However - everyone found it difficult therefore you would have to think the pass mark would reflect the difficulty (hopefully) meaning it'll be a low pass mark...
Passing every aspect of the assessment would stand.
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I know this sounds funny, but I don't see this happening Passing every aspect of the assessment would stand.
Last edited by funkyt111; 23rd Mar 2015 at 15:51.
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TBH, I really do feel that most of the weight is put towards the interview and the group exercise. Yes, you should still try to do the best you can at the written and computer tests, but, in the case of OAA's tests, which appears to be harder than the other two, then the chances are that if you have done well in the interview and the group ex, then the scores in the other tests won't matter AS MUCH.
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@EZY_FR
The weight is not put towards any part of the assessment. Each part of the assessment has a pass mark that must be reached in order to be considered for the final stage.
The weight is not put towards any part of the assessment. Each part of the assessment has a pass mark that must be reached in order to be considered for the final stage.
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Funky111; I appreciate your correction but would you imagine 10% of say 1000 applicants at OAA failing to reach the initial pass mark of each part of the assessment?
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The assessment process as a whole? No. I would expect significantly more than that. Just one part of the assessment? Yes. Remember, fail any part of the assessment and you are ruled out for the final stages even if you have excelled in every other aspect of assessment.
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Remember, fail any part of the assessment and you are ruled out for the final stages even if you have excelled in every other aspect of assessment.
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@Funky.
I did a LOT of preparation on the information I had. I did an MPL last year, I have a friend that has recently been through CTC as a cadet, I have a friend working with BA and a friend working with Monarch. None of them knew that the test would be at that level nor that i'd be required to know specific formulas. I will now go out and buy GCSE/A-Level Maths and Physics book and work through them until next year but it's a long time to wait. There is no way to prep for stuff you just don't know is coming up. I work a full time job and I can't just re-do my entire Maths/Double Science GCSE and AS Levels in the expectation that something MIGHT come up. They are not assessing my ability to pass AS or GCSE they are assessing my ability to work with numbers. Telling me what i'm going to be assessed on doesn't stop them making the same assessment.
To suggest that I should just chalk it up to practice is ridiculous. I paid £250 for an assessment and I felt I did not do as well as I could have due to not being provided with enough information. Personal situations change and in a year I might not be lucky enough to even be able to attempt this due to family/financial commitments. It should be a fair and open process for everyone first time not a case of do it twice to find out what i'm being tested on or be lucky enough to know someone that went a few weeks before and get some insider information. What other tests in this world work on the basis of not telling you what you are going to be tested on. The paperwork we received prior to attending didn't mention anything about a verbal reasoning test... I just don't think it's being done right.
In terms of the weighting, I wouldn't call it a weighting but I imagine they pick the guys they want based on their interview. However not meeting the minimum standards in any area will probably rule you out completely. I was told, by BA and OAA that they do have a minimum standard you MUST meet in some of the tests, what that is however, I don't know.
I did a LOT of preparation on the information I had. I did an MPL last year, I have a friend that has recently been through CTC as a cadet, I have a friend working with BA and a friend working with Monarch. None of them knew that the test would be at that level nor that i'd be required to know specific formulas. I will now go out and buy GCSE/A-Level Maths and Physics book and work through them until next year but it's a long time to wait. There is no way to prep for stuff you just don't know is coming up. I work a full time job and I can't just re-do my entire Maths/Double Science GCSE and AS Levels in the expectation that something MIGHT come up. They are not assessing my ability to pass AS or GCSE they are assessing my ability to work with numbers. Telling me what i'm going to be assessed on doesn't stop them making the same assessment.
To suggest that I should just chalk it up to practice is ridiculous. I paid £250 for an assessment and I felt I did not do as well as I could have due to not being provided with enough information. Personal situations change and in a year I might not be lucky enough to even be able to attempt this due to family/financial commitments. It should be a fair and open process for everyone first time not a case of do it twice to find out what i'm being tested on or be lucky enough to know someone that went a few weeks before and get some insider information. What other tests in this world work on the basis of not telling you what you are going to be tested on. The paperwork we received prior to attending didn't mention anything about a verbal reasoning test... I just don't think it's being done right.
In terms of the weighting, I wouldn't call it a weighting but I imagine they pick the guys they want based on their interview. However not meeting the minimum standards in any area will probably rule you out completely. I was told, by BA and OAA that they do have a minimum standard you MUST meet in some of the tests, what that is however, I don't know.
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Just had my FTE assessment. Had the head girl from resourcing there basically doing checks on their interview processes. She informed us that out of 3000 applications, 700 have been invited to phase 2 and they're looking at 250 for waterside with a hope of gaining 100 FPP cadets. These are maximum numbers and if they don't get these numbers they wouldn't be lowering the criteria to make them up. Like previous years, if only 40 get to the required standard then 40 it is.
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...work through them until next year but it's a long time to wait.
All at sea; I hope you had a brilliant experience. Good luck!